Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple - Kerala

In the 108 Divya Deshams, or the holiest shrines of Lord Mahavishnu, the idols of Lord Vishnu are in one of the three different postures. Either reclining, sitting, or standing. Lord Padmanabhaswamy is enshrined here in Anananthasayanam posture (in eternal sleep of yognidra). The main idol inside the sanctum sanctorum and viewed from three doors is in the reclining posture. In the left end door, devotees can see the face and upper body of Lord Padmanabha; from the middle door one can worship the nabhi (abdomen) part, where devotees can also see Lord Brahma, Goddess Lakshmi Devi, and the  Utsava Murthi idol, along with Goddess Bhoodevi and Goddess Sridevi.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple stands at a place considered as one of the seven Parasurama Kshetras; texts including the Puranas, particularly the Skanda Purana and Padma Purana, have references for this shrine. Tradition states that in this place, the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu gave darshan to Indian sages like Divakarmuni and Vilvamangalam Swami.

Nammalvar had sung in praise of Lord Padmanabha Swamy. Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma wrote many songs on Sri Padmanabha Swamy. Most of these songs have the word "Padmanabha" in it.

Paintings & Murals

There are lots of beautiful painting and murals all over the inner walls of the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Some of the noted paintings include Goddess Astha Lakshmi, life size pictures of Lord Vishnu's Anananthasayanam, Narasimha Swamy, Ganapathi, Gaja Lakshmi, and Aswarooda Lakshmi Devi.

Importance of the Idol

The idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is made up of 12008 salagramams that compose the reclining lord. They are special because they are from Nepal, from the banks of river Gandhaki and they were brought to the temple with all pomp and gaiety on elephant top. On top of them "Katusarkara Yogam", Navaratnams, a special Ayurvedic mix, was used to give a plaster. Followers believe that the Lord has personally come in disguise and had saved many times the Travancore Kingdom from the clutches of enemies.

Significance of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is also one of the seven Parasurama kshetras in Kerala. The city of Thiruvananthapuram is named after the Lord. The word Thiruvananthapuram literally means "The land of Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy".